The Philadelphia Phillies (25-17, 2nd NL East) conclude a four-game series on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals (24-18, 3rd NL Central) on Sunday.
The teams have split the first two games leading into Saturday’s game. The Phillies took Thursday’s game 6-2, while the Cardinals returned the favor on Friday by a score of 12-4. Jose Martinez had four hits and five RBIs Friday for St. Louis to lead the rout over the Phillies. Francisco Pena collected three hits including a home run as the Cardinals set a high for the season in hits with 15. Philadelphia shortstop Pedro Florimon pitched a perfect eighth inning for the Phillies in his second appearance on the mound this season. In the ninth Florimon hit a home run for the Phillies in the losing cause.
Odubel Herrera leads the Phillies with a .358 batting average and 54 hits. Carlos Santana leads the team in home runs with eight and Maikel Franco leads in RBIs with 29. Philadelphia has a team batting average of .243, while opposing hitters are averaging .238 at the plate against Phillies pitching. On Sunday, the Phillies will send Aaron Nola to the mound. The right-hander this season is 6-1 with an ERA of 1.99, 51 Ks and 13 BBs.
Jose Martinez leads the Cardinals with a batting average of .320 and team highs in hits with 49 and RBIs with 38. Tommy Pham leads the team in home runs with eight. St. Louis has a team batting average of .236, while opposing hitters are averaging .244 at the plate against Cardinals pitching. St. Louis will send Jake Flaherty to the mound on Sunday. The right-hander this season is 0-1 with an ERA of 2.87, 14 Ks and 6 BBs